Welcome to Sunday Kids@Home
In this weeks Sunday Kids@Home read the bible reading, then have a look at Lorna’s reflection.
There are three activities you can try this week –
Talk with your family if you could have a bird feeder, and why we take care of the birds.
Have a look at the reflection from Mother Theresa and think what it means to you?
Check and see how many of the fun facts about St Peter you actually know!
Read Matthew 10:24-39 Do not fear
“A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!
“So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
“Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
Lorna’s reflection
Today’s bible reading is about a time when Jesus told his disciples not to be afraid. He did not promise them that being his follower would prevent them from suffering, from being bullied and from people being mean to them. But he promised them that God knew them and cared about them, right down to the roots of every hair on their head.
Peter would have remembered this at different times in his life when he was frightened. Sometimes Peter was so frightened that he forgot all his promises and told lies to try to stay safe.
We have probably all done that, which is why I like Peter so much. The stories about him show that he was a real person, scared of what might happen to him but always trying to live more like Jesus wanted him to. God helped Peter to be brave, speak the truth and teach people about the Jesus’s life and God’s love.
Jesus talked about how God cares for sparrows, a reminder that God cares for all living things. Care for nature and other living things is a great way to share God’s love.
Sunday Kids@Home Activity
All Ages Activity
In winter, when it is really cold, some birds find it difficult to find enough food. Maybe, this week, you can talk to your family about setting up a bird table or hanging up some bird seed (you can get blocks of seed from the supermarket to hang up in your garden). When you see the birds coming to get some food, remember to thank God for the beauty of all the creatures He has made.
Older Children Activity
Think about people who have taught about God’s love as well as the disciples. One person who inspires me is Mother Teresa. Here is a copy of one of her reflections that I read a lot to remind me to try to leave in the best way possible:
If you read this to yourself in a quiet moment, it can really help you find the courage to do the right thing. Try it!
Fun Facts about St Peter
- Fact 1 – He is known as Saint Peter the Apostle
- Fact 2 – He is the Patron Saint of Fishermen
- Fact 3 – He was born at Bethsaida, near the Sea of Galilee
- Fact 4 – His name was originally Simon
- Fact 5 – Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was first a follower of John the Baptist and then became the first apostle of Jesus
- Fact 6 – Andrew introduced Simon Peter to Jesus
- Fact 7 – The name Peter, meaning ‘rock’, was selected by Jesus to indicate the he would be the rock-like foundation on which the Church would be built.
- Fact 8 – Peter was a faithful follower of Jesus
although at the Last Supper Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him three
times following his death saying
“Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.” - Fact 9 – At the time of the arrest of Jesus, Peter cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest but then went on, as predicted, to deny that he knew Jesus three times
- Fact 10 – Peter became a missionary and returned to Rome in 63/64AD
- Fact 11 – In 64 AD the Roman Emperor Nero set fire to Rome and blamed the Christians for its destruction
- Fact 12 – He was one of the Christians who was arrested and was sentenced to death by crucifixion.
- Fact 13 – He died on in A.D. 64 when he was crucified with his head downwards because he did not consider himself worthy to die in the same manner and posture as Jesus